Kansas Completes Comeback to Hand Utah First Conference Loss, 7-5

Friday, March 20

Lawrence, Kan.

5 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

22-8, 3-1

Utah

23-7, 3-1

Utah

Kansas

Kansas Completes Comeback to Hand Utah First Conference Loss, 7-5

3/20/2026 8:04:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Conference Stats 3.20 Season Stats 3.20

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas remained scoreless through the first four innings before erupting for seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings to claim a 7-5 comeback victory over Utah on Friday, handing the Utes their first conference loss of the season and their first road defeat.

The rally began in the bottom of the fifth when Ella Boyer launched a three-run home run, cutting Utah's lead to 5-3. Hailey Cripe followed with her first grand slam of the season, driving in four and giving the Jayhawks the lead. The slam also marked Cripe's tenth home run of the year.

In the circle, Lizzy Ludwig earned her third win of the season, tossing five scoreless innings in relief to remain undefeated.

"Kansas showed exactly what we're capable of today," said head coach Jennifer McFalls. "Our players stayed patient at the plate, and our pitching staff kept us in the game until our offense could turn things around. That's the resilience we've been building all season."

Kansas improved to 22-8 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play, while remaining perfect at home at 5-0.

How it Happened | vs. Utah

Kansas got off to a slow start in the circle, recording two outs on fly balls in the first inning, but Utah pushed across a run on an RBI single before Lila Partridge struck out the final batter looking to give the Utes a 1-0 lead.
Utah extended its advantage in the second inning, loading the bases with one out and scoring four runs to take a 5-0 lead. Chloe Barber entered in relief for Partridge, but Kansas could not respond in the bottom half, leaving the bases loaded without scoring.
The Jayhawks turned to their third pitcher of the day in the third inning, as Ludwig relieved Barber and recorded three straight outs, maintaining momentum through the fourth inning.
Kansas finally found offense in the bottom of the fifth. September Flanagan started the rally with a single, followed by Presley Limbaugh, setting the stage for Boyer, who launched a three-run home run to cut Utah's lead to 5-3.
KU's defense remained sharp in the sixth, ending the inning on a double play to keep the deficit at two runs.
Kansas loaded the bases in the bottom half with three consecutive walks, creating the perfect opportunity for Cripe. On a 1-1 count, the senior smashed a grand slam over the fence, giving the Jayhawks a 7-5 lead.
Utah had one final chance in the seventh, but Ludwig closed the game with a strikeout, a groundout, and Cripe catching a foul ball in third-base territory to seal the comeback victory.

PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Lizzy Ludwig (3-0)
Final line: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO
Loss: Raci Miranda (7-2)
Final line: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 0 SO